I just read a pretty cool article in the city paper:
http://www.pittsburghcitypaper.ws/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A69084
It talks about this local project to take recordings from all the bands that pass through Howlers cafe and compile them onto a blog and eventually into a huge downloadable collection.
So far the blog is actually pretty interesting:
http://howlerslive.tumblr.com/post/198974459
A lot of the information in the article actually hit home with me. It seems other people in the Pittsburgh music scene agree with me that there are plenty of venues, not a lot of bands, elusive fan bases, but lots of potential.
Hopefully, blogs like the one above will act as a way to track down local bands as well as other lesser-known out of town acts. It might even give bands some incentive to play shows...if the blog gets popular enough. Maybe I'm reading to0 far into it, but I am definitely going to keep an eye on whats happening at Howlers.
29 September 2009
27 September 2009
Useful Link: Pittsburgh Music Scene
Here is a decent website for finding out information about music in Pittsburgh:
http://www.pittsburghmusicscene.com/content.agent?page_name=Home
It is a pretty simple website, and it just consists of a bunch of links to other useful websites. However, it is pretty inclusive, I think it is a good reference point for organizing some of Pittsburgh's musical resources (like I mentioned before).
My goal will be to go through all those links and decide which ones are useful and which ones are not, but that will take sometime. So, in the meantime check it out on your own, and I will get back to you when I find out more.
http://www.pittsburghmusicscene.com/content.agent?page_name=Home
It is a pretty simple website, and it just consists of a bunch of links to other useful websites. However, it is pretty inclusive, I think it is a good reference point for organizing some of Pittsburgh's musical resources (like I mentioned before).
My goal will be to go through all those links and decide which ones are useful and which ones are not, but that will take sometime. So, in the meantime check it out on your own, and I will get back to you when I find out more.
Myspace Link
http://www.myspace.com/theunsmokablebrokes
The myspace page has been updated finally, which mostly just means there are some new tracks and a few new photos. It is definately worth checking out though so use the link to get there.
The myspace page has been updated finally, which mostly just means there are some new tracks and a few new photos. It is definately worth checking out though so use the link to get there.
26 September 2009
Practice Space
Over the summer, the Unsmokable Brokes seemed to spend more time writting and recording than playing live shows. Now, the goal seems to practice more regularly and perform regularly too, while continuing to write and record.
One important step was reached yesterday in achieving this goal. The Brokes have found what they can only hope will become a semi-permanent practice space. This means they will have a place to keep the majority of their equipment and a place to meet at regularly to work on playing together as a group.
In my mind, this is an absolute necessity for any band. There is a certain amount of organization that comes just by having everything in one place. It allows practices to be smoother and to commence without the hassle of transporting amps and an entire drum kit. Also, I think it will enforce a certain sense of routine, which is invaluable for musicians that must juggle their time with school, work or both.
My question would be whether or not other people feel this is a necessity for amateur bands or bands, in general, I suppose. What are the best ways for bands to conduct practices? Should they just run through a set list? Should they coordinate their movements on stage or just allow things to happen naturally at the show?
I would like to know simply because I'm curious of the ways good bands use their practices to become great bands. No one has written a manual on this kind of stuff (at least not that I know of). This is actually surprising to me because it is something that a lot of people take pretty seriously.
Anyway I would love to hear suggestions if anyone happens to stumble across this blog.
One important step was reached yesterday in achieving this goal. The Brokes have found what they can only hope will become a semi-permanent practice space. This means they will have a place to keep the majority of their equipment and a place to meet at regularly to work on playing together as a group.
In my mind, this is an absolute necessity for any band. There is a certain amount of organization that comes just by having everything in one place. It allows practices to be smoother and to commence without the hassle of transporting amps and an entire drum kit. Also, I think it will enforce a certain sense of routine, which is invaluable for musicians that must juggle their time with school, work or both.
My question would be whether or not other people feel this is a necessity for amateur bands or bands, in general, I suppose. What are the best ways for bands to conduct practices? Should they just run through a set list? Should they coordinate their movements on stage or just allow things to happen naturally at the show?
I would like to know simply because I'm curious of the ways good bands use their practices to become great bands. No one has written a manual on this kind of stuff (at least not that I know of). This is actually surprising to me because it is something that a lot of people take pretty seriously.
Anyway I would love to hear suggestions if anyone happens to stumble across this blog.
21 September 2009
The Garage Band Paradigm
The garage band paradigm is nothing new. I think the term originated sometime in the 1960s to describe the type of bands and music that was coming from generally young, amateur musicians developing their sound in their own homes.
In my opinion, I think this system has worked well. It allows musicians to hone their abilities before investing too much into them. It affords experimentation and innovation through both casual atmospheres and competitive ones. And, perhaps the best result, it can imbue music with a sense of raw purity that shortens the gap between artist and audience (at least in ideal scenarios).
With qualities such as these, it is no wonder why movements in punk, alternative, indie, and even lo-fi have been so successful over the years. Music labels and producers have tried desperately to find ways to replicate the garage sound of bands inside the studio because of its appeal to a wide range of listeners. However, with new technology for home recording becoming available and affordable even to the recreational musician, it seems less likely that the garage sound will be reproduced inside the studio and more likely that the studio sound will finally be produced in the garage.
This renders limitless possibilities for nearly all genres of music. With a little bit of experience with music editing software such as Apple's GarageBand or Logic, an unknown musician can have the means to produce professional quality music. I find this particularly exciting not as a musician (which I am not) but simply as a fan of music.
Bands dependency on major labels to pay for their equipment and studio time is weakening to the point of extinction. With this also comes less reliance on music hubs like New York, L.A., or any other city with a massive music industry. Bands do not need to go to "the big city" any more to make their music, they can do it right in their garage.
I think this is exactly what a place like Pittsburgh needs to develop its music culture. Bands can make their music here, and they can stay here. All it takes is the local listener to stop looking at the big cities (like I mentioned before) to determine what type of music they should be listening to. In the past it made sense - that was where the music was being made, so that was where you looked for it. Now, it seems almost pathetic for a city like Pittsburgh to rely on other places to tell them what kind bands they should like...especially when we have some pretty amazing bands here already.
In my opinion, I think this system has worked well. It allows musicians to hone their abilities before investing too much into them. It affords experimentation and innovation through both casual atmospheres and competitive ones. And, perhaps the best result, it can imbue music with a sense of raw purity that shortens the gap between artist and audience (at least in ideal scenarios).
With qualities such as these, it is no wonder why movements in punk, alternative, indie, and even lo-fi have been so successful over the years. Music labels and producers have tried desperately to find ways to replicate the garage sound of bands inside the studio because of its appeal to a wide range of listeners. However, with new technology for home recording becoming available and affordable even to the recreational musician, it seems less likely that the garage sound will be reproduced inside the studio and more likely that the studio sound will finally be produced in the garage.
This renders limitless possibilities for nearly all genres of music. With a little bit of experience with music editing software such as Apple's GarageBand or Logic, an unknown musician can have the means to produce professional quality music. I find this particularly exciting not as a musician (which I am not) but simply as a fan of music.
Bands dependency on major labels to pay for their equipment and studio time is weakening to the point of extinction. With this also comes less reliance on music hubs like New York, L.A., or any other city with a massive music industry. Bands do not need to go to "the big city" any more to make their music, they can do it right in their garage.
I think this is exactly what a place like Pittsburgh needs to develop its music culture. Bands can make their music here, and they can stay here. All it takes is the local listener to stop looking at the big cities (like I mentioned before) to determine what type of music they should be listening to. In the past it made sense - that was where the music was being made, so that was where you looked for it. Now, it seems almost pathetic for a city like Pittsburgh to rely on other places to tell them what kind bands they should like...especially when we have some pretty amazing bands here already.
Band Photos
I've been working hard on getting some good band shots on the blog, but I haven't been too successful...yet. Here's a decent one of the band. Will is on the left, Mike is in the middle, and Nick is on the right.
That's all for now with photos, but I'll continue to post them here and there on the blog and hopefully on their myspace page.
I also thought Mike deserved a tribute to the solo work he has been putting in so here's a lone wolf shot of him.
That's all for now with photos, but I'll continue to post them here and there on the blog and hopefully on their myspace page.
17 September 2009
The Band and the Blog
Although the Unsmokable Brokes are only one aspect of this blog, they are a very important aspect and have been nice enough to cooperate with me on it. So, I figured I start off by explaining who they are and what they are doing a little bit...
First of all, they have a myspace page (http://www.myspace.com/theunsmokablebrokes), but it is not in the best condition at the moment. It is still worth checking out though, and I am trying to get them to update it a bit.
Anyway, here are the basics. They play what they describe as a mix of indie, blues, and folk music. I think this is an accurate enough description, but their music really is pretty unique. Their lead singer/songwriter, who shamelessly refers to himself as "falcon" on myspace, also plays rhythm guitar for most of their tracks. His name is Mike, and he is my brother, so if you think this results in a conflict in interest--you are probably right, but oh well.
The other long-standing member of the band is Will. He plays mostly electric guitar and has a knowledge of music that I would consider virtually unrivaled. I say virtually because of the music junkies out there like the Broke's sit-in drummer, Nick. Although the combined musical knowledge of these guys is impressive enough, they can play, too. They can really play.
The Unsmokable Brokes have been together since about the beginning of 2009. They have played shows at a few local venues and put together a few demos, but there is still a lot of work to be done. One of my goals with this blog is to chronicle this work as a way of making some sense out of the increasingly difficult process producing music is becoming.
First of all, they have a myspace page (http://www.myspace.com/theunsmokablebrokes), but it is not in the best condition at the moment. It is still worth checking out though, and I am trying to get them to update it a bit.
Anyway, here are the basics. They play what they describe as a mix of indie, blues, and folk music. I think this is an accurate enough description, but their music really is pretty unique. Their lead singer/songwriter, who shamelessly refers to himself as "falcon" on myspace, also plays rhythm guitar for most of their tracks. His name is Mike, and he is my brother, so if you think this results in a conflict in interest--you are probably right, but oh well.
The other long-standing member of the band is Will. He plays mostly electric guitar and has a knowledge of music that I would consider virtually unrivaled. I say virtually because of the music junkies out there like the Broke's sit-in drummer, Nick. Although the combined musical knowledge of these guys is impressive enough, they can play, too. They can really play.
The Unsmokable Brokes have been together since about the beginning of 2009. They have played shows at a few local venues and put together a few demos, but there is still a lot of work to be done. One of my goals with this blog is to chronicle this work as a way of making some sense out of the increasingly difficult process producing music is becoming.
16 September 2009
Modus Operandi
About a month ago, I followed the Unsmokable Brokes to a show in the Bloomfield area. I was not impressed by the venue itself, which consisted of essentially a long hallway with a few half-finished art projects lining the walls at eye level. The high ceiling dwarfed everything in the room and gave it the feel of one of those back alleys you do not want to walk down at night. It was a hot day and the smell of sweat sat in the dead air. I kept thinking about how "the bowels of hell" was an all too appropriate description for this place.
When the bands starting playing, I no longer thought about the heat or the smell or anything like that. Music has a way of doing that...at least good music does. There were three bands there that night--one from somewhere in the middle of PA, one from Detroit, and our local Brokes--and each one managed to keep my attention on them until the show was over. However, there was not much of an audience. The bands listened to each other as they played, and there were a few fans like myself that are at every show, but there was no one who came just to see some new music. So, the bands played for each other, and the music was good.
I always assumed when people told me there was not much of a music scene in Pittsburgh that it meant there was no good music. This just is not true. I have seen bands at shows in Pittsburgh that were better than anything I could hear on the radio or download off of iTunes. I have spoken with musicians that have a passion and a purpose with the songs they write. All of the pieces necessary to start a musical explosion of the highest quality are somewhere scattered throughout this city. But people do not seem to be able to put them together.
I would like to change that simply through a series of connections and thoughtful organization. If fan, venue, and band can find a way to unite in Pittsburgh, change will happen. It is just a matter of getting everyone together.
When the bands starting playing, I no longer thought about the heat or the smell or anything like that. Music has a way of doing that...at least good music does. There were three bands there that night--one from somewhere in the middle of PA, one from Detroit, and our local Brokes--and each one managed to keep my attention on them until the show was over. However, there was not much of an audience. The bands listened to each other as they played, and there were a few fans like myself that are at every show, but there was no one who came just to see some new music. So, the bands played for each other, and the music was good.
I always assumed when people told me there was not much of a music scene in Pittsburgh that it meant there was no good music. This just is not true. I have seen bands at shows in Pittsburgh that were better than anything I could hear on the radio or download off of iTunes. I have spoken with musicians that have a passion and a purpose with the songs they write. All of the pieces necessary to start a musical explosion of the highest quality are somewhere scattered throughout this city. But people do not seem to be able to put them together.
I would like to change that simply through a series of connections and thoughtful organization. If fan, venue, and band can find a way to unite in Pittsburgh, change will happen. It is just a matter of getting everyone together.
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